The Skoda Kodiaq is one of the very best family cars on sale. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced large SUV with a big boot, the option of seven seats, and a decent range of efficient engines, then this should be right at the top of your shopping list.

There’s plenty of choice, too, with petrol and diesel engines, two- or four-wheel drive, and manual or automatic gearboxes. You can even choose a couple of models that give the otherwise understated car something of a makeover: the Scout version gives it a more rugged, off-road style, while the Sportline looks, you guessed it, sportier.

Sure, the Skoda Kodiaq is big, but that sheer size helps to make it an ideal family car, because it’s long enough to fit a third row of seats. The result is a seven-seater that still has enough space in the boot for the weekly shop. That said, if you want to carry seven adults regularly, you may be better off with an MPV like the VW Touran, which has more room in its rearmost row.

On the other hand, seven-seat versions of the Skoda Kodiaq offer almost as much versatility as the Touran. If you flip down the two rearmost seats, for example, you’re left with a five-seat SUV that has loads room in the back, as well as more than enough boot space for high-chairs, travel costs and micro scooters. Fold all the rear seats down and you have so much space that you’ll be getting roped into house moves for years to come.

This is the first seven-seater Skoda has ever made, and it’s spot on for family life.

Mat Watson

carwow expert

What’s more, all that space hasn’t come at the expense of quality. On the contrary, the Skoda Kodiaq interior looks good and feels robust, with some high-class plastics on top of the dashboard that make the Nissan X-Trail (one of the most obvious alternatives to the big Skoda) feel a little bit cheap.

Despite the Kodiaq’s size, it’s not a difficult car to drive. The steering is light, and you get a great view from the high-set driving position, apart from some blind spots when you look over your shoulders.

But contrary to what you might expect of a big SUV, the Skoda Kodiaq doesn’t lean much in corners. However, the downside of this is that the suspension is slightly firm and you feel quite a few bumps at low speeds. The Kodiaq is also a bit noisier than a VW Tiguan, especially on the motorway.

What the Kodiaq does have in common with the Tiguan is the bulk of its engine range. If you spend a lot of time on the motorway, then go for a model with the 2.0-litre, 150hp diesel engine. On the other hand, if you’ll be spending most of your time in town, go for the 1.4-litre, 150hp petrol engine, which is quieter, smoother and will still manage mpg in the late thirties.

Whichever Skoda Kodiaq you pick, though, you can rest assured it’s a safe place for you and your family, as it earned a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP’s tough 2017 crash tests. So, not only is it one of the most practical and best-value seven-seaters on sale, it’s also one of the safest. For more on the Skoda Kodiaq, see how much you can save with these Skoda Kodiaq deals.

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